Parliament logjam over demonetisation anguished President Mukherjee: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today told a farmers' rally in Gujarat that "happenings" in Parliament had "anguished" President Pranab Mukhejee, in a reference to the President's recent criticism of the continued logjam in the national legislature over the currency ban.

"Happenings in Parliament anguished our President, who has tremendous political experience," PM Modi said in Deesa, where he inaugurated a Rs 350 crore cheese plant.

Yesterday, President Mukherjee had said, in a reference to Parliamentarians: " For God's sake, do your job. You are meant to transact business in Parliament. Disruption of Parliament is not acceptable at all."


While the President's remarks were promptly interpreted by the government as a signal to the opposition, some opposition leaders argued that the message was equally applicable to the government which needed to respect the views of its critics and had a responsibility to run Parliament.

PM Modi today said the Parliament wasn't being allowed to function, and added that since he wasn't being allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha, he had decided to speak in the 'Jan Sabha'.

The effects of demonetisation

PM Modi today said the currency ban had had broken the backbone of terrorism and Naxalism, weakened individuals involved in fake currency rackets, and had been implemented "to strengthen the hands of the poor of the nation."

"For how long can poor of India be told to pay for houses in cash. For how long will poor be asked- (do) you want Pucca bill or Kuccha bill?" he asked.

He added, in a message for the Opposition "from the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel," that merely talking about the poor was different from working for the poor, and that this was something that the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government was always doing.

He also touched the on significance of technology-based solutions in the post-demonetisation economy.

"Today your banks and wallets are in your mobile. This is how things have changed...I urge you all to integrate people with e-banking, e-wallets," he said.

In another message for the Opposition, PM Modi said: "You can oppose me but do teach people about banking, using technology for financial transactions."

"Criticise me, highlight people's problems, but also inform (the) masses that they do not need to stand in queue and can use mobile banking," he said.

PM Modi also issued a warning to those "who have laundered and hoarded money post-demonetisation," saying that they won't not be spared

'I am here not as PM, but as a son of this soil'

PM Modi began his address by alluding to his Gujarat origins.

"I am told it is after a very long time that a Prime Minister is visiting Banaskantha. But, I am here not as PM, but as a son of this soil," he said.

PM Modi lavished praised on the farmers of the region, saying that they'd proven their worth to the world.

"There was a time when people from Kutch and Banaskantha would leave their homes in search of better opportunities. It is not the case now," he said.

The PM also described changes in agricultural practices that taken place during his tenure.

"When I took over as Chief Minister, I would tell farmers that you need to focus on water as much as you focus on electricity...The farmers in Banaskantha heard my request and embraced drip irrigation. This changed their lives and lives of future generations," he explained.